Owls!

We heard a rumor that there was an owlet in the Bog Garden that was spotted sitting in a tree, so Rebecca and Olivia went to check it out. Sure enough, there it was.

Rebecca came home and we went back with the boys and looked for a while, but couldn't find it. However, on the way out, we heard a whispery screech and looked around for it. We found it! And then we spotted 3 more!

They were so cool, flying from tree to tree, screeching at each other. It was like they were playing. One would fly to a branch, another would join it and the first would fly to another branch. They chased each other around for a while, but it was getting dark, so we had to go.

A Frozen Bog

It's not often that we get cold weather for any extended period of time, so when we actually had a few days in a row if freezing temps, it made for some cool things in the Bog Garden.

 The icicles on the waterfall were beautiful.

 The shallow areas of the pond were frozen over with about an inch of ice. It was strong enough that the ducks could walk on it, although it was a little difficult for them.

 The kids throw some branched at the ice and got them to stick through it.

 All along the trail, the mud had frozen into hoar frost, which made some very cool crunching sounds as they jumped on it.

 The really like how it was all very straight and lifted up the dirt on top of it.

Ezra wanted to carry some around with him, but, of course, it melted before he could get it home. :)

Bog Garden - 9/2015

There were a couple of really beautiful days between the time we got back from camp and the time for Sukkot to start, so we took advantage of one and went for a walk in the Bog Garden.

 At the time, the water was fairly low since it hadn't rained much in the previous couple of weeks, but that didn't prevent us from seeing a little wildlife in the water and mud. If you look really closely, there's a teeny snapping turtle right in the middle of the picture.

 The birds were out, too. This Cardinal was particularly pretty.

 There were a few flowers still blooming like this orange one. If anyone knows what it is, please let me know! Update: It's called Jewelweed or Touch-Me-Not.

 There were also these gorgeous pink ones with a berry of some kind right in the center. Update: Turns out they're called Harlequin Glorybowers.